Newfoundland and Labrador Hunter Education Program

ACTS and PROVE: Firearm Safety

The ACTS and PROVE of firearm safety is a nationally accepted approach to handling firearms safely. It was developed by the Canadian Firearms Program and should be used each and every time you handle a firearm in any situation.

ACTS:

Assume every firearm is loaded.

Regard any firearm as potential danger.

Control the muzzle direction at all times.

Identify the safest available muzzle direction.

Keep the firearm pointed in the safest available direction.

The muzzle of a firearm should not be pointed towards yourself or any other person.

Trigger finger must be kept off the trigger and out of the trigger guard.

Resist the temptation to put your finger on the trigger or inside the trigger guard when you pick up a firearm.

Accidental discharge is far more likely to occur if your finger is on the trigger or inside the trigger guard.

See that the firearm is unloaded - PROVE it safe.

Do not handle the firearm unless you can PROVE it safely.

Check to see that both chamber and magazine are empty. Do this every time you handle a firearm, for any reason.

Pass or accept only open and unloaded firearms. This is an important habit to develop.